Isolated, invisible, and in-need: There should be no “I” in caregiver

Isolated, invisible, and in-need: There should be no "I" in caregiver A patient recently said to me, "Marriage is just as effective as chemotherapy."And in so many ways, I agree.Informal caregivers -many of whom are spouses or partners -have become the backbone of our healthcare system, concurrently playing the role of partner/parent/child/friend, and physician, nurse, social worker, lawyer, and patient navigator.Without a doubt, the presence of a caregiver who is dressed in invisible armor, ready to advocate (fight) on behalf of patients, negotiate our complicated healthcare system, and attempt clear and productive communication with medical, administrative and legal professionals, is not only optimal, but essential to the well-being of patients today.This armor, however, comes with a significant cost.This uncompensated care involves significant time and energy and requires the performance of tasks that are physically, emotionally, socially, existentially and financially demanding.In 2009, 65.7 million Americans served as caregivers, including 4.6 million